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Diseases & Conditions : Transplantation

Kidney Transplantation in Children

What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from another person. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. Individuals who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with the remaining kidney.

A person receiving a transplant usually receives only one kidney, but, in rare situations, he or she may receive two kidneys from a deceased donor. In most cases, the diseased kidneys are left in place during the transplant procedure. The transplanted kidney is implanted in the lower abdomen on the front side of the body.

Why is a kidney transplant recommended?

A kidney transplant is recommended for children who have serious kidney dysfunction and will not be able to live without dialysis or a transplant. Some of the kidney diseases in children for which transplants are done include the following. However, not all cases of the following diseases require kidney transplantation. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis:

Congenital renal obstructive disorders leading to hydronephrosis, including the following:

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Vesicoureteral reflux

Posterior urethral valves

Prune belly syndrome

Megaureter

Congenital nephrotic syndrome

Alport syndrome

Nephropathic and juvenile cystinosis

Polycystic kidney disease

Nail-patella syndrome

Glomerulonephritis

Berger disease

Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Hemolytic uremic syndrome

Wegener granulomatosis

Goodpasture syndrome

Diabetes

How many children in the United States need kidney transplants?

Visit the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) website for statistics of patients awaiting a kidney transplant, and the number of patients who underwent a transplant this year.

Where do transplanted organs come from?

The majority of kidneys that are transplanted come from deceased organ donors. Organ donors are adults or children who have become critically ill and will not live as a result of their illness. If the donor is an adult, he or she may have agreed to be an organ donor before becoming ill. Parents or spouses can also agree to donate a relative's organs. Donors can come from any part of the United States. This type of transplant is called a cadaveric transplant.

A child receiving a transplant usually receives only one kidney, but, in rare situations, he or she may receive two kidneys from a cadaveric (deceased) donor. Some experimentation with splitting one kidney for two recipients is underway. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may also be able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant (living donor). Individuals who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with the kidney that remains. A child older than two years can generally receive an adult kidney, as there is usually enough space in the belly for the new kidney to fit.

How are transplanted organs allocated?

UNOS is responsible for transplant organ distribution in the United States. UNOS oversees the allocation of many different types of transplants, including liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, lung, and cornea.

UNOS receives data from hospitals and medical centers throughout the country regarding adults and children who need organ transplants. The medical transplant team that currently follows your child is responsible for sending the data to UNOS and updating them as your child's condition changes.

Criteria have been developed to ensure that all people on the waiting list are judged fairly as to the severity of their illness and the urgency of receiving a transplant. Once UNOS receives the data from local hospitals, people waiting for a transplant are placed on a waiting list and given a "status" code. The people in most urgent need of a transplant are placed highest on the status list and are given first priority when a donor kidney becomes available.

When a donor organ becomes available, a computer searches all the people on the waiting list for a kidney and sets aside those who are not good matches for the available kidney. A new list is made from the remaining candidates. The person at the top of the specialized list is considered for the transplant. If he or she is not a good candidate, for whatever reason, the next person is considered, and so forth. Some reasons that people lower on the list might be considered before a person at the top include the size of the donor organ and the geographic distance between the donor and the recipient.

How is my child placed on the waiting list for a new kidney?

An extensive evaluation must be completed before your child can be placed on the transplant list. Testing includes:

Blood tests

Diagnostic tests

Psychological and social evaluation of the child (if old enough) and the family

Tests are done to gather information that will help determine how urgent it is that your child is placed on the transplant list, as well as ensure the child receives a donor organ that is a good match. These tests include those to analyze the general health of the body, including the child's heart, lung, and kidney function, the child's nutritional status, and the presence of infection. Blood tests will help improve the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected. These tests may include:

Blood chemistries. These may include serum creatinine, electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium), cholesterol, and liver function tests.

Clotting studies, such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT). Tests that measure the time it takes for blood to clot.

Other blood tests will help improve the chances that the donor organ will not be rejected. They may include:

Your child's blood type. Each person has a specific blood type: type A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+. AB-, O+, or O-. When receiving a transfusion, the blood received must be a compatible type with your child's own, or an allergic reaction will occur. The same allergic reaction will occur if the blood contained within a donor organ enters your child's body during a transplant. Allergic reactions can be avoided by matching the blood types of your child and the donor.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and panel reactive antibody (PRA). These tests help determine the likelihood of success of an organ transplant by checking for antibodies in your child's blood. Antibodies are made by the body's immune system in reaction to a foreign substance, such as a blood transfusion or a virus. Antibodies in the bloodstream will try to attack transplanted organs. Therefore, children who receive a transplant will take medications that decrease this immune response. The higher your child's PRA, the more likely that an organ will be rejected.

Kidney, liver, and other vital organ function tests

Viral studies. These tests determine if your child has antibodies to viruses that may increase the likelihood of rejecting the donor organ, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV).

The diagnostic tests that are performed are extensive, but necessary to understand the complete medical status of your child. The following are some of the other tests that may be performed, although many of the tests are decided on an individual basis:

Renal ultrasound. A noninvasive test in which a transducer that produces sound waves which bounce off the kidney is passed over the kidney, transmitting a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst, or other obstruction or abnormality.

Kidney biopsy. A procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the kidney for examination under a microscope.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP). A series of X-rays of the kidney, ureters, and bladder with the injection of a contrast dye into the vein to detect tumors, abnormalities, kidney stones, or any obstructions, and to assess renal blood flow.

The transplant team will consider all information from interviews, your child's medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests in determining whether your child can be a candidate for kidney transplantation. After the evaluation and your child has been accepted to have a kidney transplant, your child will be placed on the UNOS list.

The kidney transplant team

The group of specialists involved in the care of children who are undergoing a transplant procedure is often referred to as the "transplant team." Each individual works together to provide the best chance for a successful transplant. The kidney transplant team consists of:

Transplant surgeons. Doctors who specialize in transplantation and who will be performing the surgery. The transplant surgeons coordinate all team members. They follow your child before the transplant and continue to follow your child after the transplant and after discharge from the hospital.

Nephrologists. Doctors who specialize in disorders of the kidneys. Nephrologists will help manage your child before and after the surgery.

Urologists. Doctors who specialize in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the genitourinary tract.

Transplant nurse coordinator. A nurse who organizes all aspects of care provided to your child before and after the transplant. The nurse coordinator will provide patient education and coordinate the diagnostic testing and follow-up care.

Social workers. Professionals who will provide support to your family and help your family deal with many issues that may arise, including lodging and transportation, finances, and legal issues. They can also help coordinate alternative means for school, so that your child does not get behind.

Dietitians. Professionals who will help your child meet his or her nutritional needs before and after the transplant. They will work closely with you and your family.

Physical therapists. Professionals who will help your child become strong and independent with movement and endurance after the transplantation.

Pastoral care. Chaplains who provide spiritual care and support.

Other team members. Several other team members will evaluate your child before transplantation and provide follow-up care, as needed. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Pharmacists

Anesthesiologists

Hematologists

Infectious disease specialists

Respiratory therapists

Lab technicians

Psychologists

Child life specialists

How long will it take to get a new kidney?

There is no definite answer to this question. Sometimes, children wait only a few days or weeks before receiving a donor organ. If no living-related donor is available, it may take months or years on the waiting list before a suitable donor organ is available. During this time, your child will receive close follow-up with his or her doctors and the transplant team. Various support groups are also available to assist you during this waiting time.

How are we notified when a kidney is available?

Each transplant team has their own specific guidelines regarding waiting on the transplant list and being notified when a donor organ is available. In most instances, you will be notified by phone or pager that an organ is available. You will be told to come to the hospital immediately so your child can be prepared for the transplant.

What is involved in kidney transplant surgery?

Once an organ becomes available to your child, you and your child will be immediately called to the hospital. This call can occur at any time, so you should always be prepared to go to the hospital, if needed. Once at the hospital, the child will have some more final blood work and tests to confirm the match of the organ.

The child will then go to the operating room. The transplant surgery may require several hours, but will vary greatly depending on each individual case. During the surgery, a member of the transplant team will keep you informed on the progress of the transplant.

Postoperative care for kidney transplant

After the surgery, your child will go to the intensive care unit (ICU) to be monitored closely. The length of time your child will spend in the ICU will vary based on your child's unique condition. After your child is stable, he or she will be sent to the special unit in the hospital that cares for kidney transplant patients. Your child will continue to be monitored closely. You will be educated on all aspects of caring for your child during this time. This will include information about medications, activity, follow-up, diet, and any other specific instructions from your child's transplant team.

What is rejection?

Rejection is a normal reaction of the body to a foreign object. When a new kidney is placed in a person's body, the body sees the transplanted organ as a threat and tries to attack it. The immune system makes antibodies to try to kill the new organ, not realizing that the transplanted kidney is beneficial. To allow the organ to successfully live in a new body, medications must be given to trick the immune system into accepting the transplant and not thinking it is a foreign object.

What are the symptoms of rejection?

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of rejection. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Fever

Tenderness over the kidney

Elevated blood creatinine level

High blood pressure

Your transplant team will instruct you on who to call immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

What is done to prevent rejection?

Medications must be given for the rest of the child's life to fight rejection. Each child is unique, and the transplant team has preferences for different medications. Some of the antirejection medications most commonly used include the following:

Cyclosporine

Tacrolimus

Azathioprine

Mycophenolate mofetil

Prednisone

OKT3

Antithymocyte Ig (ATGAM)

New antirejection medications are continually being approved. Doctors tailor drug regimes to meet the needs of each individual child. The doses of these medications may change frequently as your child's response to them changes. Because antirejection medications affect the immune system, children who receive a transplant will be at higher risk for infections. A balance must be maintained between preventing rejection and making your child very susceptible to infection. Blood tests to measure the amount of medication in the body are done periodically to make sure your child does not get too much or too little of the medications. White blood cells are also an important indicator of how much medication your child needs.

What about infection?

This risk of infection is especially great in the first few months because higher doses of antirejection medications are given during this time. Your child will most likely need to take medications to prevent other infections from occurring. Some of the infections your child will be especially susceptible to include oral yeast infection (thrush), herpes, and respiratory viruses.

Long-term outlook for a child after a kidney transplant

Living with a transplant is a lifelong process. Medications must be given that trick the immune system so it will not attack the transplanted organ. Other medications must be given to prevent side effects of the antirejection medications, such as infection. Frequent visits to and contact with the transplant team are essential. Knowing the signs of organ rejection (and watching for them on a daily basis) is critical. When the child becomes old enough, he or she will need to learn about antirejection medications (what they do and the signs of rejection), so he or she can eventually care for himself or herself independently.

Every child is unique and every transplant is different. Results continually improve as doctors and scientists learn more about how the body deals with transplanted organs and search for ways to improve transplantation.